Rack for venetian blinds



Aug. 3, 1965 u. H. STANLEY RACK FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Filed Jan. 25, 1964 QN/ QN United States Patent O 3,197,797 RACK FR VENETA bilNlDS Ulysses H. Stanley, Zlid Nil. Schuyler St., Portland, Greg. anni aan. 2s, :terrassen-1e. 359,673 6 Claims. (Cl. 5-26S) This invention relates to racks for holding venetian blinds, and more particularly concerns a rack which the slats of a venetian blind may be supported upon, with said slats then having opposite faces exposed to enable easy cleaning or other Work to be performed on the slats.

When a venetian blind becomes soiled, it is diiiicult to clean it with the blind mounted in place. Thus, it is common to remove the blind prior to washing it. Since a venetian blind when unfolded or extended may cover a considerable area, and because washing commonly should be done on both sides of the slats in the blind, cleaning of such a blind is a difiicult and time consuming procedure. The blind itself is quite unwieldy. In manipulating the blind, slats therein often are bent or otherwise damaged. Care must be taken after washing one side that the side just cleaned is not again soiled when washing the other. It water is used to wash the blind, the provision of a proper mounting to hasten drying whereby adequate air circulation is permitted can also be a problem. These and other considerations have all pointed to the need for a rack for mounting a blind or its slats, which offers a practical answer to the abovementioned difculties.

Thus, a general object of this invention is to provide a novel rack for supporting a venetian blind or its slats, which takes care of the above-indicated problems in a highly satisfactory manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a rack, in which adjustments are readily made whereby the rack can accommodate venetian blinds of diiierent sizes.

A further Object and feature of the invention is the provision of a rack which is readily disassembled for storing.

The rack contemplated features a construction whereby disassembled blind slats may be washed, with said slats spaced laterally on the rack and rmly clamped in place. The means holding the slats covers only small areas of the slats, and these areas are Ones that normally are obscured by the tapes in a blind which hold the slats in an assembled state. Blind slats after cleaning are readily removable from the rack, and a soiled series ot slats are as easily mounted on the rack to prepare them for cleaning.

The rack of the invention also may be utilized to support an assembled venetian blind, with the slats therein held together by the tapes of the blind. When used in lthis manner, the blind is extended and mounted on the rack while stretched between top and bottom bars in the rack. The slats in the blind may then be washed over opposite faces, with first one set of faces being washed, and the rack then being turned around to place the opposite set of faces of the blind in position to be washed.

Thus, a further object is to provide a rack which may with equal facility be used to wash blind slats with these either disassembled from the blind, or held together by the tapes normally present in a venetian blind.

Another object is to provide a rack, featuring novel releasable means for holding disassembled blind slats in laterally spaced positions thereon.

Other objects and features of the invention will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a front View of the rack as contemplated in eil) ice

one modification of the invention, showing the rack with plural disassembled venetian blind slats mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a View of a side edge of the rack shown in FlG. l;

PEG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3 3 in FlG. l, showing how support may be provided for intermediate portions of blind slats mounted on the rack;

FG. 4 is a cross sectional view, on a somewhat larger scale, taken along the line 4 4 in FlG. l;

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified form of rack, showing the same supporting an assembled venetian blind and its slats; and

PKG. 6 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line in FiG. 5 illustrating a mounting element provided for the purpose of mounting the top end of the venetian blind.

Referring now to the drawings, and first of all to FIGS. l, 2, 3 and 4, the rack contemplated is indicated generally at lil, and includes top and bottom frame members or bars l2, le, extending along the top and bottom of the raclr, respectively. Extending between these frame members are elongated side frame members or bars lo, 13, forming opposite sides of the rack. The top and bottom frame members are parallel to each other, and so also are the two side frame members, and thus there is deiined a substantially rectangular outline for the rack.

The bars may be made of any material with suitable strength, wood being found to be highly satisfactory because of its light weight. Each bar has a rectangular cross section and uniform `thickness and width along the length thereof.

At each corner of the rack, the various frame members are joined rigidly together, by means of brackets, such as bracket 2li. Each bracket includes a pair of channelshaped legs 22, 2d disposed at right angles to each other. Each leg tits snugly over three sides of the bar end fitted therein. The elongated channel of each leg has a'rectangular cross section which matches the cross section of the bars, whereby eachbraclret is seated in a leg while being held from twisting therein.

A. pair of detachable fasteners are provided which fasten each bracket to the two bars which are joined thereby. Thus, in FG. l, Wing nut and bolt assembly 25 detachably connect bar S14 and leg 2d. Nut and bolt assembly 2S detachably connect bar i8 and leg 22. Withthe bars so joined at each corner of the rack, a completely rigid rack is formed, which may be easily manipulated during the washing operation with the rack at all times keeping its rectangular shape.

Disassembled venetian blind slats are shown at Sii. These areconventional in construction, and each may comprise an elongated member having a convex face 3l and a concave face 32. Adjacent opposite ends of each slat are slots or apertures 34, which receive the cords normally provided in a venetian blind for the purpose of manipulating the blind.

Each of the side bars i6, It has a row of anchoring elements mounted thereon. These elements, as in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, may comprise screws, which are screwed into the side bars, having eyes 33 forming the heads of the screws. The eyes of the various anchoring elements mounted on a bar lie in a common vertical plane in FIG. 1. Each eye has a Width which is slightly less than the length of a slot 34. The eyes on a lbar are spaced apart a distance whichl slightly exceeds the width of a venetian blind-Slat.'

The disassembled slats may be mounted on the rack by placing their concave sides against bar or frame members i6, i3, with the eyes `of the various anchoring elementsv projecting through slots 3dadjacent opposite sets of ends of the slats.

A clamp strap or bar 4t? is provided for each side bar,

which, with the slats assembled as in FIG. l, is mounted over the convex outer faces of the blind slats. Each strap is provided with slots 4Z at points distributed along the length thereof, and these slots receive eye 3S of the anchoring elements. The clamp straps 4u function to told the blind slats firmly in place, with the slats anchored from lateral movement by the anchoring elements. Pins or other fastener means A may be inserted through certain ones of the eyes of the anchoring elements, as shown in FIGS. l and 4, to secure the clamp straps in place.

With the slats mounted on the rack as described, substantially all areas of opposite faces of the blind slats are exposed for washing purposes. Individual slats are spread apart on the rack, and in this Way fast draining of wash water and drying are promoted. With the rack facing one direction, one set of faces of the slats may be washed, and upon turning the rack around, then the opposite slat faces may be Washed. Because of the curvature in the slats, even areas of the slat faces positioned over a side bar are reachable with a brush. It should be noted that in an assembled blind those areas of the slats that are covered by tapes are those areas which, with the slats on the rack, are positioned over the side bars and under the straps, so in the event that these areas are imperfectly cleaned, such is not noticeable with the slats assembled into a blind.

With relatively Wide Venetian blinds, Where slats of considerable length are present, additional support may be desired for intermediate portions of the slats. Thus, in FlG. l, a support bar 48 is shown which is detachably connected at its ends to top and bottom bars 12, 14, by fasteners 5%. This support bar has eye screws 52 mounted thereon, disposed in a row, which are positioned in the spaces between adjacent slats on the rack. A cord 54 passing through these eye screws, and fastened at its end to the eye screws at opposite ends of the row of screws, functions to hold the slats against the support bar.

In FiG. l, bores 5d are shown, in top and bottom bars 12, ld, adjacent the ends thereof. By detaching the top and bottoni bars from the brackets 29, the side bars may be shifted laterally outwardly, and in this Way blind slats of different lengths are accommodated.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the rack of the invention when such is used to support an assembled venetian blind. The assembled venetian blind is shown at 60, and, as in the case of a conventional blind, includes a top rail or casing 62, which forms the top of the blind, and contains the usual mechanism for producing up and down movement or" the blind and tilting of the slats therein. At the base of 'he blind is a bottom rail 64. Slats 66 are dependently supported by the top rail or casing, and tapes 68, '76 connect the various slats and the rails at the ends of the blind.

In this modiication of the invention, side bars or frame members 72, 74- are shown, which are connected to top and bottom frame members l2, ld, by means of brackets and fasteners similar to those described in connection with FIG. l. Note that the side bars are disposed outwardly of the side margins of the venetian blind. The bars may be the same bars as used with the rack as shown in FIG l, or the bars may be an additional set devoid of the anchoring elements described.

With the rack as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, top rail or casing 62 of the blind is mounted in a position adjacent top bar l2, using spaced mounting elements '76. Each mounting element includes channel-shaped hooked end '78, which lits over the top bar and is nonrotatably supported thereon. Each element further includes a cradle portion Si) which receives the top rail or casing of the blind, while nonrotatably supporting this casing. A cushion 32 is shown extending over the cradle portion, which inhibits scratching or other marring of the casing.

The blind is mounted on the rack in an extended or unfolded condition, and stretched tightly between the top and bottom frame members. Take up means, or more specifically cords 8.4, 85, extend between bottom bar 64 anar/',797'

and the bottom frame member of the blind, and connect these elements together. In assembling the blind on the rack the cord ends of each cord are drawn tightly together and then tied, and in this Way sucient tension may be produced in the blind whereby the same is held on the rack without ilapping about.

With the blind so mounted, opposite faces of the slats therein may be washed While the same are supported in their tapes. On turning the rack over, faces of the slats on the opposite side of the blind may be exposed.

When not being used, the rack of the invention may be readily disassembled and stored. It is easily put together in a short time, with the various bars in proper position to support the slats to be Washed.

Using the rack of the invention, a far more thorough cleaning job may be performed on the slats of a blind than possible with the blind mounted in place in a window opening, or merely lying on the ground after being removed from such opening. The slats are held in such a way as to permit easy manipulation of the slats.

After washing, the slats are supported in a position which facilitates fast drying.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A rack for supporting a Venetian blind, Where said blind includes a rail at the top end thereof and multiple slats dependently supported from said rail, said rack comprising a pair of elongated, substantially parallel bars of rectangular cross section extending across top and bottom ends of the rack,

a pair of elongated, substantially parallel bars also of rectangular cross section extending along opposite sides of the rack, and defining with said end bars a rack of substantially rectangular outline,

a bracket for each corner of the rack, including a pair of channel-shaped legs disposed at right angles to each other, connecting the bars at each corner of the rack, with each leg of the bracket snugly fitting against three sides of a bar,

fastener means detachably connecting each leg of each bracket to the bar lodged therein, and

means for holding a Venetian ,blind on said rack with the blind stretched between said top and bottom end bars, said means includings mounting elements for detachably mounting the rail of the blind on said top end bar with said rail next to and paralleling the bar, and

means adapted to extend from the bottom end of the blind to the bottom end bar for connecting said bottom end of the blind to said bottom end bar.

2. A rack for supporting a Venetian blind, Where said blind includes a rail at the top end thereof and multiple.

slats dependently supported from said rail, said rack comprising a pair of elongated, substantially parallel bars of rectangular cross section extending across top and bottom ends of the rack,

a pair of elongated, substantially parallel bars of rectangular cross section extending along opposite sides of the rack, and defining with said end bars a rack of substantially rectangular outline,

a bracket for each corner of the rack, including a pair of channel-shaped legs disposed at right angles to each. other, connecting the bars at each. corner of the rack, with each leg of the bracket snugly fitting against three sides of a bar,

fastener means detachably connecting each leg of each bracket to the bar lodged therein,

plural mounting elements for connecting the rail of the blind to said top end bar,

said mounting elements being spaced along the length of said top end bar and including channel-shaped hooked ends nonrotatably supported on the bar, and channel-shaped cradle portions adapted nonrotatably to receive the rail of said blind,

means adapted to extend from the bottom end of the blind to the bottom end bar for interconnecting the two with the blind stretched tightly between the two end bars.

3. A rack for supporting a Venetian blind, where said blind includes a rail at the top end thereof and multiple slats dependently supported from said rail, said rack comprising a pair of elongated, substantially parallel bars of rectangular cross section extending across top and bottom ends of the rack,

a pair of elongated, substantially parallel bars of rectangular cross section extending along opposite sides of the rack, and defining with said end bars a racl; of substantially rectangular outline,

a bracket for each corner of the rack, including a pair of channel-shaped legs disposed at right angles to each other, connecting the bars at each corner of the rack, with each leg of the bracket snugly tting against three sides of a bar,

fastener means detachably connecting each leg of each bracket to the bar lodged therein,

plural mounting elements for connecting the rail of the blind to said top end bar,

said mounting elements being spaced along the length of said top end bar and including channel-shaped hooked ends nonrotatably supported on the bar, and channel-shaped cradle portions adapted nonrotatably to receive the rail of said blind,

means adapted to extend from the bottom end of the blind to the bottom end bar for interconnecting the two with the blind stretched tightly between the two end bars,

said means for interconnecting the bottom end of said blind and said bottom end bar being adjustable in length thus to accommodate adjusting the tension in the blind where it extends between the end bars of said rack.

4. The combination of a rack of substantially rectangular outline, said rack including a pair of elongated, substantially parallel bars extending across the top and bottom ends of said rack, respectively, a pair of elongated, substantially parallel bars of substantially rectangular cross-section extending along the sides of said rack between said end bars, and a bracket for each corner of the rack including a pair of channel-shaped legs disposed at right angles to each other, detachably fastened to and connecting the bars at each corner of the rack with each bracket leg snugly fitting over three sides of a bar,

a venetian blind positioned relative to said rack whereby the side margins of the blind are inwardly from said side bars, the top of the blind is adjacent said top end bar, and the base of the blind is inwardly from said bottom end bar,

plural mounting elements detachably mounting the top of said blind on said top end bar, with the top of the blind supported at points spaced between opposite side margins of the blind,

each of said mounting elements including a hooked end which ts over and is nonrotatably supported on said top end bar, and a cradle portion which snugly receives the top of the blind, and

flexible means, adjustable in length, extending between and interconnecting the base of said blind and said bottom end bar, with the blind stretched between the end bars.

5. A rack for supporting disassembled venetian blind slats, where said slats have first and second sets of apertures provided adjacent opposite sets of ends, adapted to receive the operating cords in an assembled venetian blind, said rack comprising a pair of elongated support bars,

a bracket for each corner of the rack interconnectnig the bars and mounting them in parallel, spacedapart relation,

a row of anchoring elements mounted on each bar adapted to pass through a set of apertures in said slats,

said anchoring elements on the two bars projecting out to a common side of said rack,

an elongated clamp strap for each support bar, mounted over the side of the support bar which faces said one side of the rack,

each of said clamp straps having a row of apertures spaced along the length thereof receiving the anchoring elements of the support bar under it, with said anchoring elements projecting through said apertures, and

means for securing each clamp strap to the support bar under it.

6. A rack for supporting unassembled venetian blind slats, where said slats have rst and second sets of apertures provided adjacent opposite sets of ends, adapted to receive the operating cords in an assembled venetian blind, said racks comprising a pair of elongated substantially parallel support bars,

means adjacent the top of the rack interconnecting one set of ends of said support bars, and means adjacent the bottom of the rack interconnecting the opposite set of ends of said support bars, with said bars held rigidly in a spaced-apart position,

a row of anchoring elements mounted on each bar adapted to pass through a Set of apertures in said slats,

said anchoring elements on the two bars projecting out to a common side of the rack,

an elongated clamp strap for each support bar, mounted over the side of the bar which faces said one side of the rack,

each of said clamp straps having a row of apertures spaced along the length thereof receiving the anchoring elements of the support bar under it, with said anchoring elements projecting through said apertures,

eyes in the projecting ends of said anchoring element,

and

fastener means extending through the eyes of the anchoring elements holding said clamp straps in place.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,588,557 3/52 Morris et al. 15-268 X 2,634,450 4/53 Britton 15-268 2,763,024 9/ 56 Simmons 15-268 2,849,745 9/ 58 Madsen 15--268 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

VJALTER A. SCHEEL, Examiner. 

